MEPs call for an EU Action Plan

The growing shortage of healthcare professionals has become one of the biggest challenges for Europe’s health systems. In their draft initiative report “EU Health Workforce Crisis Plan”, presented on 1 October, rapporteurs Loucas Fourlas (EPP, Cyprus) and Ruggero Razza (ECR, Italy) call for a European framework for action to strengthen the health professions. This marks an important step – according to the World Health Organization (WHO), the EU could face a shortfall of around 940,000 health and care workers by 2030.

Causes and need for action

The report identifies several key causes: an ageing population, rising demand for care, the growing burden of chronic diseases, and increasing pressure on healthcare staff. The shortage of doctors, nurses and other health professionals has thus become not only a labour market issue but also a systemic risk for health systems.

The rapporteurs call for a comprehensive European Health Workforce Strategy to counter the growing staff shortages. It should anchor education, working conditions and innovation as equal pillars of a modern workforce policy in healthcare.

Five priorities for a European strategy

The report highlights five main areas for action:

First, improving working conditions, fair pay and targeted mental health programmes to make the health professions more attractive. Violence in the workplace and discrimination must be more decisively addressed, with stronger involvement of social partners. Second, stronger measures are needed to reduce regional disparities. To prevent so-called medical deserts, MEPs propose incentives for professionals to work in rural or economically weaker regions, such as housing support, scholarships, regional workforce programmes and the expansion of telemedicine. Third, sustainable workforce planning is required. An EU-wide strategy should strengthen education, mutual recognition of qualifications and professional development. By 2032, the number of healthcare workers should increase by one million, supported financially through ESF+, EU4Health and Cohesion Funds. Fourth, digitalisation should help ease the workload through telemedicine, AI-assisted diagnostics and interoperable systems. Finally, fifth, MEPs stress the need for reliable funding and governance. The EU and Member States should better coordinate existing funding instruments and, together with the OECD and WHO, establish a monitoring and forecasting system for workforce developments.

Hearing in Parliament confirms urgent need for action

The rapporteurs’ demands reflect key points already raised during the joint hearing of the Committee on Public Health (SANT) and the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) on 26 September. Dr Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat (WHO Europe) warned against the growing dependence of many Member States on health workers trained abroad and emphasised the need to strengthen domestic training capacities. She also cautioned that digital and AI-based tools must support, not burden, health professionals. Jan Willem Goudriaan (EPSU) described the workforce shortage as a “public health emergency” and called for a gender-sensitive action plan, noting that around 80 percent of Europe’s health workforce are women.

Psychosocial strain in the workplace was another central topic. A recent WHO report found that one in three doctors and nurses in Europe suffer from mental health problems, and one in ten healthcare workers report suicidal thoughts. Violence, bullying and overload are widespread. The WHO calls for better working conditions, psychological support, and investment in staff retention and digital skills.

Next steps

The debate shows that Europe’s health resilience depends not only on secure supplies of medicines and medical devices, but also on the availability of well-trained and adequately staffed healthcare personnel. The draft report was presented on 23 October in a joint EMPL/SANT meeting. MEPs can submit amendments until 4 November, with a committee vote planned beginning of next year.